January 18, 1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Robert Warrax by Abraham Lincoln]

Convicted of counterfeiting, Warrax was pardoned because of new evidence. Also signed by William H. Seward.

GLC00068.09

December 16, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: General McClellan

Shortly after General Winfield Scott's retirement as head of the U.S. army, Lincoln writes to General McClellan, Scott's successor. Lincoln asks him to find a place for Major Wright, a member of Scott's former staff. McClellan's note on the verso, dated March 8, 1862, refers the matter to a subordinate.

GLC00343

December 19, 1859

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Galloway

With two postscripts, one initialed. Headed "Private." Introducing John "George" Nicolay (later Lincoln's personal secretary) and describing how he wants the Lincoln-Douglas debates published. In the 1860 presidential election, the debates served as an essential statement of Republican Party principles, especially on the issue of slavery being extended into the territories. Given the importance of the debates, it is unsurprising that Lincoln emphasizes the importance of fidelity in the original speeches: "As they stand there, is precisely the shape I would prefer the publication to be made in…

GLC00365

circa 1841

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph document signed

Title: [Petition and summons for Harrison C. Goodell adversus David A. Powell]

Goodell sued Powell for the remainder of a bill for a steam engine Powell bought for use in a sawmill. Lincoln represents Powell, who claims that the boiler required repairs and other hardware was missing, which cost more than the $75 dollar balance on the bill. Lincoln signed as a representative of the firm of Lincoln & Logan.

GLC00304

10 August 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln endorsement on Rosecrans telegram]

Lincoln autograph endorsement signed to Union General George B. McClellan, 10 August 1861, on verso of Union General William S. Rosecrans telegram [clerical copy for recipient] (Clarksburg, Virginia) to Abraham Lincoln, 10 August 1861. Written on Magnetic Telegraph Company, Printing and Morse Lines form. Telegram informs Lincoln about the Virginia troops and gives Rosecrans's opinion on how the troops should be organized. Rosecrans notes that he has only 13 men with military education and remarks, "I stand here to cover two hundred miles of frontier with a small command of raw levies against…

GLC00409

June 14, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Bates

Writing to Attorney General Bates, Lincoln recommends Philip Fraser, a unionist lawyer in Jacksonville, Florida be appointed District Judge for the Eastern District of Florida. Fraser comes recommended by Senator David Wilmot and House Speaker Galusha A. Grow. Lincoln requests a nomination for him unless Bates can give a reason against it. Written on Executive Mansion Stationery.

GLC00411

14 July 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Printed draft call for troops from Maine]

Draft calling for 2,360 troops from the 3rd district of Maine. Printed with state and number of troops added in writing.

GLC00425

October 27, 1852

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis M. Hays

Lincoln suggests that his client, Lewis Hays, drops the lawsuit against George Turley as he won't get the money. He makes this determination as the defendant, George Turley, is "poor and a cripple." Written on blue stationery and accompanied by an envelope.

GLC00426

06 September 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Cephas Brainerd, interim arbitrator (c/s Seward)]

Partly printed document, countersigned by William H. Seward, appointing Cephas Brainerd interim arbiter for the Treaty with Britain suppressing the slave trade. Docketed. With white paper seal. Watermark: Wilcox|Philadelphia.

GLC00457

2 January 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document

Title: Emancipation Proclamation General Orders No.1

Fifth printing of the Emancipation Proclamation, first Army printing. General Orders No. 1. Disbound.

GLC00460

25 March 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Lincoln's appointment of Joshua Reed Giddings as Consul General]

Also signed by William Henry Seward as Secretary of State. President Lincoln appoints former Ohio Representative Giddings to serve as Consul General of the United States for the British North American Provinces. Has a seal on bottom left corner.

GLC01413

18 May 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Lincoln endorsement on letter concerning the remains of Captain W. G. Hewins]

Lincoln note written on a letter by the Governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrew, dated 13 May 1863 from Boston. The letter is addressed to "All Officers in Command, of the United States, or of Volunteers," asking that Mr. Gibbs, who is bringing home the remains of Captain W. G. Hewins, receive all proper courtesies while on his journey. Lincoln's signed note on the second page reads, "Secretary of War please see Mr. Gibbs, with this letter from Gov. Andrew." Also with an autograph note signed by Major General Joseph Hooker and dated 21 May 1863, to Colonel Ingalls requesting that he…

GLC01195

February 5, 1841

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Stuart

Letter is written in blue ink. Discussing Illinois and Sangamon county politics, Lincoln says he and some others would like Bat Web (Edwin B. Webb) as District Attorney. He concludes by alluding to the "locos" (Democrats) in the upcoming congressional elections.

GLC01210

May 11, 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton

Curtis was replaced with Schofield in the Dept of the Missouri. Letter written on Executive Mansion stationery. Docketed on page 4 by Stanton.

GLC01211

October 24, 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: to Gen. David Hunter

Letter written after Frémont was relieved of duty. A draft in the hand of John Hay (Sec.) with corrections and an additional paragraph at the end in Lincoln's hand. Also, mentions command of Dept. of West & strategy suggestions.

GLC01212

September 25, 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ross

Protection of the Cherokee Indians against the Confederacy. Ross was the first and only elected Chief of the Cherokee Nation from the time it was formed until his death in 1866. He led the Eastern Cherokee in the "Trail of Tears" west of the Mississippi.

GLC01233.03

1 August 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Endorsement on Simon Cameron telegram relaying the burning of Chambersburg]

Lincoln's reply on the recipient's copy of an August 1, 1864 telegram from former Secretary of War Simon Cameron, now chairman of the Committee of Safety, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Cameron informs Lincoln that the burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30, 1864, calls for a change of commanders. He states that Union general Darius Couch is taking all the blame and is therefore useless; suggests giving Union general George Cadwalader the command and the troops will rally around him. Lincoln replies that he has submitted this request for the consideration of the Secretary of War,…

GLC01237

February 5, 1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norman B. Judd

Docketed by Judd on verso. Written by Lincoln as Presidential candidate at a time of revelations of old anti-Lincoln statements by Judd. Letter mentions the upcoming presidential campaign.

GLC01214

June 25, 1852

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Onslow Peters

Letter discusses a case concerning the sale and purchase of land held in trust for a minor. The Tazewell lands were purchased by the guardian of a minor named Shurtluff, using the proceeds from the sale of the original land held in trust for him. The Tazewell lands were then placed in trust until Shurtluff came of age and appropriated them. Letter written by Lincoln on blue paper as Peters' lawyer. Docketed by recipient.

GLC01236

17 March 1863

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Appointment of Godfrey Weitzel as Brigadier General of Volunteers]

Also signed by Edwin McMasters Stanton as Secretary of War, and by Edward Davis Townsend as Assistant Adjutant General. Townsend attests that this appointment is recorded in the Adjutant General's office. Serves as an official United States Presidential form for appointments, containing an image of an eagle at the top of the page and a knight's helmet, weapons, and musical instruments resting amongst several flags at the bottom of the page. Contains a blue War Office seal.

GLC01115

26 March 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of Orville Babcock as a First Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers]

Partially printed form from an engraving signed by President Lincoln and countersigned by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Note signed by Adjutant G. Thomas on top left corner indicating the commission was recorded on 27 March 1862 in "Volume 17. Page 70." Includes a blue seal intact. Orville Babcock was later U.S. Grant's aide.

GLC01128

4 March 1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Inaugural address of the President of the United States, on the Fourth of March, 1861.

Lincoln focuses on increasing his support in the North while attempting to not further alienate the South. He references four important documents: Henry Clay's 1850 Speech on compromise, Webster's reply to Hayne, Andrew Jackson's proclamation against nullification, and the U.S. Constitution. Marked Senate executive document No. 1, special session. Disbound but boxed.

GLC01264

December 19, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ladies managing the Soldier's Fair

Letter written on Executive Mansion stationery. Lincoln alludes to the "good news" of Sherman's March to the Sea. Also mentions declining the invitation.

GLC01303

22 May 1849

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Printed document

Title: [Patent for Abraham Lincoln's improvement in buoying vessels over shoals]

Patent granted to Lincoln for inventing "a new and improved manner of combining adjustable buoyant air chambers with a steamboat or other vessel for the purpose of enabling their draught of water to be readily lessened to enable them to pass over bars ... " Includes a written description and diagram.

GLC01304

January 22, 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph note signed

Title: Note suspending execution of Harry C. Fuller at request of O. Kellogg

Note suspending execution of Harry C. Fuller at request of O. Kellogg.

GLC01307